Evacuation system packing device

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for packing an aircraft evacuation slide is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bottom plate for receiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide and a top plate configured to apply a pressure and or temperature to the received section to form a fold in the received section. The apparatus is provided in a substantially open configuration and a section of the aircraft evacuation slide is placed on the first plate. The apparatus is closed to sandwich the section of the aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the second plate to create a fold useful for packing the aircraft evacuation slide. The compression also may remove wrinkles, thereby allowing the aircraft evacuation slide to be packed into a smaller space.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to aircraft evacuation slides/slide-raftsand, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for efficient packingaircraft evacuation slides/slide-rafts into a packboard for storage anddeployment on an aircraft.

Aircraft evacuation slides and/or slide-rafts are designed to deploy byunfolding and inflating from a packboard of an airplane fuselage and ordoor. To pack the evacuation slide in the packboard so that it is readyfor deployment, the slide is generally folded according to a sequence ofinstructions using a manual folding process. However, the material ofthe slide is generally not pliable during the folding process, andmanual force is often required to fold and pack the slide. Due to thesize and structure of the evacuation slide, a person applying thismanual force may put his health at risk. This risk increases with thesize of the evacuation slide, which in turn increases with themanufacture of larger aircraft.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention a method forpacking an aircraft evacuation slide includes: providing a packingapparatus having a first plate and a second plate coupled to the firstplate, in a substantially open configuration; placing a section of theaircraft evacuation slide on a surface of the first plate; placing thepacking apparatus in a closed configuration to sandwich the section ofthe aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the secondplate to create a fold in the section for packing the aircraftevacuation slide.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusfor packing an aircraft evacuation slide includes: a bottom plate forreceiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide; a top plateconfigured to apply a pressure to the received section to form a fold inthe received section that is used to pack the aircraft evacuation slide;and a hinge configured to move the top plate relative to the bottomplate to open and close the apparatus.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method ofincreasing a packing density of an aircraft evacuation slide includes:placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on a surface of afirst plate; and applying a pressure and or temperature to the sectionusing a second plate on top of the first plate to remove a wrinkle inthe section.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention. For a better understanding of the invention with theadvantages and the features, refer to the description and to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a packing apparatus suitable for packing an aircraftevacuation slide into a packboard of an aircraft in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary operation of the packing apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a packing device;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a packing device illustrating variousadditional features;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a top plate of the packing device in anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows an extendable hinge of the packing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packing apparatus 100 suitable for packing an aircraftevacuation slide into a packboard of an aircraft in one embodiment. Thepacking apparatus 100 includes a first plate 102 which may also bereferred to herein as a bottom plate and a second plate 104 that may bereferred to herein as a top plate. The first plate 102 and the secondplate 104 are coupled to each other at hinges 106 a and 106 b. While twohinges 106 a and 106 b are shown, any number of hinges may be used inalternate embodiments. The packing apparatus 100 is shown in asubstantially open configuration.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary operation of the packing apparatus 100. Thepacking apparatus 100 is shown in a closed configuration with a section202 of an evacuation slide sandwiched between the top plate 104 and thebottom plate 102. The top plate 104 is placed on top of the section 202and applies a downward pressure to the section 202 to compress thesection 202. Compressing the section 202 between the top plate 104 andthe bottom plate 102 forms a fold 204 in the section 202. In variousembodiments, the evacuation slide is folded along a preselected numberof folds, wherein the folding is performed in a particular orderaccording to a predetermined sequence of instructions, in order that thefolded evacuation slide fits into a packboard of an aircraft. Thus, thepacking apparatus 100 may be applied at multiple sections of theevacuation slide. Compressing section 202 also removes or reduceswrinkles 206 in section 202. Reducing the wrinkles 206 allows a topportion 212 of section 202 to lie flatter against a bottom portion 210of section 202 than is possible when the section 202 has wrinkles 206.Therefore, removing the wrinkles allows the evacuation slide to bepacked more tightly and into a smaller space.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a packing device 300. Thepacking device 300 includes heating elements 302 in the bottom plate 120and heating elements 304 in the top plate 104. The heating elements 302and 304 receive power from a power supply 306. In an illustrativeembodiment, the heating elements 302 and 304 heat the bottom plate 102and top plate 104 to a temperature in a range from between about 90degrees Fahrenheit (° F.) and about 100° F. or to any other temperature.When in the closed position, the top plate 104 and bottom 102 apply bothpressure and heat to the section (202, FIG. 2) of the evacuation slide.The section (202, FIG. 2) may be subjected to this heat and pressure fora period of time lasting form about 1 to about 3 minutes or any othertime-period. The temperature range may be increased or decreased and thetime for which the heat and pressure is applied may be increased ordecreased to accommodate different types of fabrics. The applied heathelps the applied pressure to compress the fabric of section (202, FIG.2) to produce smooth folds and also helps to remove the wrinkles in thefabric. This heating helps to speed up the packing process and to enablepacking the evacuation slide into a smaller, more compact space.Consequently, the amount of manual packing is reduced, therebypreventing harm or injury to packing-personnel. Use of the packingdevice also speeds the packing process, increasing the compliance withdelivery schedules (On Time Delivery).

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a packing device 400 illustratingvarious additional features. In one example, the bottom plate 102 mayhave a reinforcement plate 402 to support the weight of the packingdevice to prevent deformation of the bottom plate 102. Additionally, thepacking device 400 may include wheels 404 that enable the packing deviceto be moved between various sections of the evacuation slide. A handle406 may be supplied to allow an operator to open and close the packingdevice.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a top plate 104 of the packing device in anembodiment of the present invention. The top plate 104 may be composedof two or more plates that may slide relative to each other to increasethe overall surface area of the top plate 104. The top plate 104 may beextended in both length-wise and width-wise directions (i.e.,telescopic). For illustrative purposes, an original shape of the topplate 104 is shown using a solid outline 501. In general, the originalshape may be about 10 feet in length by about 8 feet in width. Outline503 shows the top plate 104 once it is extended along its length.Similarly, outline 505 shows the top plate 104 once it is extended alongits width. The packing tool is flexible and/or telescopic in order toaccommodate different lengths, widths and heights of various section ofthe evacuation slide as well as of any other object that may be packed.

FIG. 6 shows an extendable hinge of the packing device. With anon-extendable hinge the top plate 104 may lie at an angle to the bottomplate 102 when the packing device is in a closed configuration, therebycausing the section close to the hinge to receive more compression thanthe section away from the hinge. This uneven compression is solved usingthe extendable hinge 602. The extendable hinge 602 allows the top plate104 to lie substantially parallel to the bottom plate 102 when in theclosed configuration, thereby allowing for even compression and foldingof the evacuation slide.

While the packing device of the present invention is disclosed withrespect to an aircraft evacuation slide, the packing device may also beused to other components, such as life rates, slide rafts, etc. Inaddition, this art can be applied to any product where packing and/orpackaging is involved.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of onemore other features, integers, steps, operations, element components,and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated

While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, itwill be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construedto maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for packing an aircraft evacuation slide/slide-raft, comprising: providing a packing apparatus having a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, in a substantially open configuration; placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on the first plate; placing the packing apparatus in a closed configuration to sandwich the section of the aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the second plate to create a fold in the section for packing the aircraft evacuation slide.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating at least one of the first plate and the second plate in the closed configuration to remove wrinkles in the section.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein removing the wrinkles in the section increases a packing density of the aircraft evacuation slide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plate is coupled to the second plate at an extendable hinge, further comprising providing the first plate substantially parallel to the second plate when the packing apparatus is in the closed configuration by extending the extendable hinge.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering a surface area of at least one of the first plate and the second plate to accommodate a dimension of the section.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprises using a handle to open and close the packing apparatus.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the first plate to the second plate using at least two hinges.
 8. An apparatus for packing an aircraft evacuation slide, comprising: a bottom plate for receiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide; a top plate configured to apply a pressure to the received section to form a fold in the received section that is used to pack the aircraft evacuation slide; and a hinge configured to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate to open and close the apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a heating element in at least one of the bottom plate and the top plate configured to heat the received section to remove wrinkles in the received section.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the heating element heats both the top plate and the bottom plate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein removing the wrinkles in the received section increases a packing density of the slide once packed.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hinge further comprises an extendable portion that extends to provide the top plate substantially parallel to the bottom plate when the apparatus is in a closed configuration.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a dimension of the surface area is adjustable to accommodate a dimension of the received section.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a handle to facilitate opening and closing of the apparatus.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinge further comprises at least two hinges.
 16. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprises a roller for transport of the apparatus.
 17. A method of increasing a packing density of an aircraft evacuation slide, comprising: placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on a surface of a first plate; applying a pressure to the section using a second plate on top of the first plate to remove a wrinkle in the section.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising heating the first plate and the second plate to remove the wrinkle.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising using the first plate and the second plate to create a fold at a selected location in the section of the aircraft evacuation slide for packing the aircraft evacuation slide.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first plate and the second plate are coupled by an extendable hinge, further comprising extending the hinges so that the first plate and the second plate are substantially parallel when the second plate is placed on top of the first plate. 